Sharad Pawar to Lead Efforts in Addressing Social Discord in Marathwada

Mumbai, Jan 9 (NationPress) In response to the increasing communal discord and fragile social environment in the Marathwada region, particularly after the heinous murder of Massajog sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh from Beed district and the tragic demise of a Dalit youth in Parbhani, NCP-SP President Sharad Pawar stated on Thursday that he will spearhead initiatives aimed at restoring social and communal peace in the area.

Pawar addressed attendees on the final day of the party's conclave, which was convened to assess the party's losses in the recent Assembly elections and strategize for revitalization, especially in light of the forthcoming local and civic body elections in Maharashtra.

"The social climate in the state is critical. In numerous districts of Marathwada, communal tensions have escalated to alarming levels, with individuals from one community reluctant to patronize the shops of another. This strife has worsened following the murder of sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh. We must alter this situation in Marathwada through all available means. I will personally initiate efforts to resolve these conflicts by visiting villages across various districts, including Beed and Parbhani, fostering dialogue between the communities involved," he remarked.

During the two-day party gathering, Pawar solicited input from party officials regarding the reasons behind the electoral defeat.

He also provided guidance to the members concerning the political and social landscape of the state.

Detailing the current circumstances in Marathwada following the murder of sarpanch Santosh Deshmukh from Beed district and the death of Dalit youth Somnath Suryavanshi from Parbhani district, Pawar noted that social unrest has persisted in Marathwada even since the university there was named after B. R. Ambedkar.

"Initially, the decision to rename the university was made without consulting local leaders or the community, resulting in social conflict. This had significant repercussions in the elections. However, when I later had the opportunity to serve as Chief Minister, I made it a point to visit numerous colleges in Marathwada, engaging with the people before making a decision. This approach ultimately helped alleviate social tensions in the region. In a similar manner, to mitigate social discord in Marathwada, we must visit the villages, unite people, and foster dialogue between them. We should take the initiative for this," he emphasized.

Pawar encouraged party workers not to be discouraged by the recent electoral defeat, urging them to move forward and take the upcoming local and civic body elections with utmost seriousness.

"In the forthcoming elections, we will allocate 50 percent of our tickets to women, with half of that share reserved for women from underprivileged backgrounds. The remaining 50 percent will go to men, of which 60 percent will be designated for youth, prioritizing candidates from ordinary families," the NCP-SP President stated.

Pawar commended the RSS for its campaigning efforts on behalf of the BJP during the Assembly elections, acknowledging the significant role of the RSS in the MahaYuti's success.

Conversely, he mentioned that while the Maha Vikas Aghadi remained complacent due to their victories in the Lok Sabha elections, the Grand Alliance capitalized on the general elections to shift the atmosphere through various initiatives, including the Ladki Bahin scheme, loan waivers, electricity bill waivers, and the establishment of corporations for diverse communities.